Youth Leadership & Community Service Award
Recognizing young people who lead, serve others, strengthen their communities, and demonstrate exceptional character.
Where to Submit
Applicants: Confirm the deadline and submission instructions with your sponsoring Post or the Department program chairman before sending your completed application. Follow the program’s Post-to-District procedures.
District-to-Department routing
- All-State programs: Send the District submission to the Department Adjutant.
- Programs outside All-State: Send the District submission directly to the appropriate Department Chairman.
Youth Leadership routing needs confirmation: The published All-State routing list names "Scout of the Year,” while this program replaces the former Washington Scouting Program. Confirm with the Department whether Youth Leadership entries use that All-State route before forwarding an entry.
Ask the Department Adjutant about routing · View All-State submission guidance
Deadline: Confirm the current program deadline before submitting. Routing guidance does not change program deadlines or required submission systems.
Recognizing Leadership Through Service
The VFW Department of Washington Youth Leadership & Community Service Award recognizes outstanding young people who demonstrate leadership, service to others, personal responsibility, community involvement, courage, and exceptional character.
The award is intended to recognize youth who make a positive difference in their schools, organizations, neighborhoods, communities, and the lives of others.
Leadership Takes Many Forms
Applicants may qualify through ongoing community service, leadership activities, mentorship, fundraising, action during an emergency, or an extraordinary act of service.
Eligibility Requirements
Review the basic requirements before completing the application.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be between 12 and 18 years of age.
Community Service
Applicants should have a minimum of 25 documented community service hours completed during the previous 24 months.
Extraordinary Service or Deed
An applicant may also qualify based on an extraordinary act of service or deed even if the recommended 25 service hours have not been met.
Parent or Guardian Consent
Applicants under the age of 18 must have verification and consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Verification
Applicants should provide accurate contact information for individuals who can verify their service, leadership, or accomplishments.
Leadership & Service Categories
Applicants may qualify in one or more categories and should provide a brief narrative for each category selected.
Community Project Leadership
Led a team to plan, organize, and successfully complete a community service project.
Crisis & Emergency Intervention
Took responsible action during a crisis or unexpected emergency, physically or logistically, when immediate adult assistance was not available.
Academic Peer Mentorship
Assisted and guided fellow students through formal or informal tutoring, mentoring, leadership, or positive personal example.
Community Fundraising
Organized or played a significant leadership role in a successful fundraising campaign benefiting the community or a charitable cause.
Exceptional Moral Courage
Demonstrated exceptional moral courage, accountability, humility, and integrity, including situations where doing the right thing may have been difficult or unpopular.
What You'll Complete
The application walks you through the information needed to document your leadership, service, and accomplishments.
Applicant Profile
Provide your basic applicant and contact information.
Parent or Guardian Consent
Complete the required consent information for applicants under age 18.
Select Your Qualifications
Complete the leadership and service qualification checklist.
Tell Your Story
Provide leadership and service narratives for the categories you selected.
Document Your Service
Complete the community service time ledger and provide supporting information.
Reference & Endorsement
Provide a character reference who can verify your leadership, service, character, or accomplishments.
Certify Your Application
Complete the applicant certification and signature.
Community Service Documentation
Applicants should document community service activities completed during the previous 24 months.
For Each Service Entry
- Organization or community project
- Activity and duties performed
- Supervisor name and contact information
- Number of service hours completed
Extraordinary Acts of Service
Applicants qualifying based on an extraordinary act of service or deed should provide enough information and supporting documentation to explain:
- The circumstances involved
- The actions taken
- The impact of the service
Someone Who Can Speak to Your Service
Applicants must provide contact information for at least one non-family reference who can verify the applicant's leadership, service, character, or accomplishments.
Application Checklist
Make sure your application package includes all required information.
- Completed Youth Leadership & Community Service Award application
- Parent or guardian consent for applicants under age 18
- Community service time ledger or extraordinary service documentation
- Narrative for each leadership or service category selected
- Contact information for at least one non-family character reference
- Applicant certification and signature
- Supporting certificates, letters, photographs, service records, or other documentation when appropriate
Keep a copy for your records.
Applicants should retain a copy of the completed application and
all supporting documents.
Ready to Apply?
Download the official VFW Department of Washington Youth Leadership & Community Service Award application and begin documenting your leadership and service.
Open Fillable Application (PDF)